Sharks
& Dolphins
by Deirdre Bounds, i to i International Projects |
 If
you are a potential gap student, either leaving school next
year and wanting to grab some fun before university, or
you are about to graduate and need headspace before you
enter The City and grab megabucks, one thing is for sure,
you won't be disappointed with the number of organisations
who want your skills and money.
By far the fastest moving industry today is independent
travel. Under this umbrella come placement organisations
that arrange work for travellers who do not want to globetrot
aimlessly or join an Ashram on the Indian coast.
Yes, we all know the reasons why we should take time out,
we have read and been told about them often enough. Tom
Griffiths, author of Before You Go (a groovy gap year guide)
puts it in the proverbial nutshell, "At school or university
you get the qualifications to get you started in life; however,
travel gives you the confidence, personality and general
broadmindedness to actually participate in life."
This is all very well, but what are you going to do about
it? You could find your own work and plan your own trip
- details of how to do this can be found in the publications
listed below. However for some, this is too daunting and
others just don't have the time to write the dozens of letters
needed to organise their own work. Perhaps closer to the
truth, they do not have the confidence to go it alone.
Fortunately help is at hand. There are numerous organisations
that can arrange your work placement. Some are good, some
not so good. Before you choose the right organisation for
you, take a good look at what it really has to offer and
what you are getting for your money.
I feel a tad sorry for the would-be worker-traveller today.
I mean just how do you choose and even make sense of the
vast, and often overwhelming array of promotional material
produced by gap organisations? I'm in the industry and even
I get bamboozled with what these organisations can come
up with - from asparagus picking in Australia to making
signs for turtle sanctuaries in Indonesia. It all looks
very glossy and wonderfully appealing but hey come on now,
which one is best for you and will you get value for money?
Below are a few tips in what to look for with placement
schemes. |
- The
type of work or activity.
|
- Minimum
and maximum age requirement.
|
- Whether
it is paid or voluntary work. If paid, is it a pocket
money allowance or a decent salary?
|
- The
cost of the programme - most range from £1000
to £3,500 - a lot of money.
|
- Extra
costs not included - many do not include insurance or
training - certainly TEFL courses.
|
- Hidden
costs not fully explained, for example travelling for
a training session to a remote part of Britain can add
another £100 to the already mounting costs.
|
- What
exactly does the cost include? Accommodation? Flight?
Food? Ongoing training? Visa?
|
- Is
there a clear application procedure and what's the turn
around time? This is especially important for summer
placements which are usually more popular. Apply as
early as possible.
|
- What
about field support? Good support is essential. Is there
support at hand for anything you haven't planned?
|
- If
the organisation is a charity - questions such as who,
where, what, when, how, as regards your placement fee,
should give you a real idea of how 'charitable' the
organisation really is.
|
| |
| One
word of advice, please remember that placement organisations
do not offer club 18-30 holidays for the brainy. If you
want to go to the developing world, get ready for 'developing'
conditions and don't expect it all to be handed to you on
a plate. Let's face it, what can you learn form that?
i
venture organises placements in Sri Lanka, India,
Russia, Uzbekistan and Turkey. For details call: 0113
217 9800
Deirdre can be found either on the M1 or at the back of
aeroplanes operated by suspicious sounding airline companies.
Further
Information
i to i International Projects
Tel 0113 217 9800
Web www.i-to-i.com
Email travel@i-to-i.com
|
More
Links |
| Directory
> Gap Year Organisations |
Further
Reading |
| Inspired
Magazine - an i to i publication |
| Before
You Go - Tom Griffiths |
| Work
Your Way Around the World
- Susan Griffiths, Vacation Work |
| The
Directory of Summer Jobs Abroad - David Woodworth,
Vacation Work |
| A
Year Between - Central
Bureau |
| Wanderlust
Magazine |
| Overseas
Jobs Express |
|
The
latest editions of the above books are available
from amazon.co.uk
|
